Full Time
80:00
7:40pm Fri September 14, 2018
Finals Week 2 - Sydney Football Stadium (1988-2018), Moore Park / Gadigal - Crowd: 19211
80min

All year the Panthers conceded big starts and in their biggest match they have been made to pay for it.

80min

It's harsh way for Penrith to lose, but the Sharks have deserved this win off the back of an emphatic first half.

80min

Field Goal: Panthers
Attempted by Nathan Cleary.

From halfway the kick doesn't come close.

Sharks lead Sharks 21 - 20 Panthers
79min

30 seconds.

79min

Townsend goes high but Mansour has the ball.

79min

1 minute left.

78min

Penrith make a mess of it and may have cost themselves this match!

77min

Gallen is in civvies. if this match goes into extra time the Sharks won't be able to draw upon their leader.

76min

Cronulla find touch 30 metres out from the Panthers line.

76min

Field Goal: Panthers
Attempted by Nathan Cleary.

The shot is wide!

Sharks lead Sharks 21 - 20 Panthers
74min

Penrith have possession!

74min

Rugby League - how good is it!

74min

Field Goal: Sharks
Kicked by Chad Townsend.

After missing his first attempt, the Sharks #7 reclaims the lead.

Sharks lead Sharks 21 - 20 Panthers
73min

Feki is finally pulled down.

73min

Jayson Bukuya makes a determined charge.

72min

Maloney finds touch inside the Sharks 10 metre zone.

71min

Cronulla want to win this match with a field goal. Penrith are will to score tries.

71min

Field Goal: Sharks
Attempted by Chad Townsend.

Townsend has his kick charged down.

Tied up at Sharks 20 - 20 Panthers
71min

Woods is within a metre

71min

Ricky Leutele tries a flick pass, but Tyrone Peachey takes the ball over the sideline. Cronulla will pack a scrum 10 metres out.

70min

Cronulla have regained possession.

70min

Short kick off!

69min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

The Sharks produced a brilliant first half, but as the Panthers have done all year - THE COMEBACK IS HERE!

Tied up at Sharks 20 - 20 Panthers
68min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Waqa Blake. Kick to come.

Villame Kikau has streaked down field before linking up with his centre. We're going to be level - CAN YOU BELIVE IT!

Sharks lead Sharks 20 - 18 Panthers
67min

KIKAU!

67min

Full credit to Penrith for their second half performance. The first half was all Cronulla, but the Panthers have produced a resilient second half to make a game of this match.

66min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

Nathan Cleary puts the Panthers back within a converted try.

Sharks lead Sharks 20 - 14 Panthers
65min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Isaah Yeo. Kick to come.

If ever the Panthers needed a try, now was the time. A BIG kick to come!

Sharks lead Sharks 20 - 12 Panthers
65min

Isaah Yeo is claiming a try, but the referee is deeming an error in the lead up.

65min

Time is not quite of the essence, but the Panthers will want to score shortly.

64min

Another penalty to Penrith on the last tackle.

63min

Penrith are awarded a penalty.

62min

Chad Townsend is on the spot to clean up a James Maloney grubber.

61min

Penrith earn a repeat set on the last.

61min

The next try will be of monumental importance - Cronulla can secure the match, while Penrith have played their best coming from behind.

60min

Christian Crichton is collected by three Cronulla chasers.

58min

Penalty Goal: Sharks
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

From in front the Sharks put themselves up by two converted tries.

Sharks lead Sharks 20 - 8 Panthers
57min

Viliame Kikau collects Chad Townsend high and the Sharks will elect to extend the score via a penalty goal.

57min

James Segeyaro on for Cronulla.

56min

With his first touch back on the field Reagan Campbell-Gillard comes up with a dropped ball.

55min

Cronulla are awarded a penalty after James Maloney was ruled to have impeded Jesse Ramien during a Cronulla attacking raid.

55min

Penrith have worked their way back into this match, but the next try scorer will be massive in the context of this match.

54min

James Fisher-Harris belts Valentine Holmes.

53min

Andrew Fifita is back on for the Sharks.

52min

Kurt Capewell tries to put Sosaia Feki over for a try, but the ball goes into touch.

51min

Christian Crichton loses possession inside his own half.

51min

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is running with little self-preservation!

50min

Valentine Holmes manages to get out of his in-goal following an impressive set after points from Penrith.

50min

While that kick was being taken, Paul Gallen walked up the tunnel with a possible wrist injury.

49min

Conversion: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

From close to the sideline, the Panthers #7 adds the extras!

Sharks lead Sharks 18 - 8 Panthers
48min

Try: Panthers
Scored by Nathan Cleary. Kick to come.

Tyrone Peachey looked to gain a repeat set and ends up producing a try assist! Penrith are back (maybe)!

Sharks lead Sharks 18 - 6 Panthers
48min

Valentine Holmes has watched the ball in the hope of rolling dead, but Nathan Cleary looks set to pounce for Penrith.

48min

NATHAN CLEARY!

47min

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes a quality kick return.

47min

Penrith drive Gallen back inside the Sharks half.

47min

Play will resume with a Cronulla set after a frantic finish from both sides.

46min

Corey Harawira-Naera manages to hold onto the ball.

45min

Isaah Yeo makes the best run of the night for Penrith.

44min

Aaron Woods loses possession and the Panthers are off the hook for their poor set finish.

43min

Penrith squander a promising set by gifting their opponents a seven tackles.

42min

James Fisher-Harris puts good pressure on Matt Moylan and the Panthers will start a set inside the Sharks half.

41min

Nathan Cleary eyes a 40/20, but can't get the result desired.

40min

The Bulldogs famously came from 18-2 down to defeat the Eels in the 1998 Preliminary Final, but on the form shown during the first half there will need to be a major reversal in form for both sides.

40min

Both teams are on the field. Penrith to kick off through James Maloney.

40min

In one of the most dominant halves of finals football seen in recent time, the Sharks lead 18-2 with a Preliminary Final date with Melbourne just 40 minutes away.

40min

Penalty Goal: Panthers
Kicked by Nathan Cleary.

On the stroke of halftime, Cleary opens the Panthers' account.

Sharks lead Sharks 18 - 2 Panthers
39min

The Panthers are awarded a penalty in kicking range on halftime.

39min

Penrith on the attack.

39min

Penrith earn a penalty inside their own half.

39min

Take nothing away from Cronulla who have been tremendous with the ball, but the Panthers haven't risen to the occasion tonight.

38min

Penrith have produced poorer halves of football, but in such an important match this first 40 has not been up to standard.

37min

Tyrone May loses possession.

36min

Penrith will get another set 20 metres out from the Cronulla goal line. If ever the Panthers are to post points, this is the time!

36min

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak earns a penalty on halfway. If Penrith are to make a game of this (which they are capable of), they will need to post points soon.

35min

Unless there is a massive reversal of form in the second half, next Friday looks set to be a clash between the 2016 Grand Final combatants - Cronulla are surging!

35min

Edrick Lee comes up with a great take close to his try line.

34min

Sione Katoa (the Penrith hooker) is coming off with a head knock; Tyrone May will come into the game earlier than expected.

33min

Matt Moylan couldn't hold onto Holmes' pass - had he been able to the Sharks would have been in for their fourth try.

32min

Holmes into space.

32min

Moses Leota and Corey Harawira-Naera on for Penrith.

32min

Conversion: Sharks
Attempted by Valentine Holmes.

From close to the touchline, the ball can't find it's Holmes between the posts.

Sharks lead Sharks 18 - 0 Panthers
32min

Seeing a champion of the game do what he has done so well over the past 18 seasons brings a tear to the eye knowing that he won't be going around next season.

30min

Try: Sharks
Scored by Luke Lewis. Kick to come.

Against the club he won a premiership with and captained, Luke Lewis charges into a whole and scores Cronulla's third.

Sharks lead Sharks 18 - 0 Panthers
29min

With the wealth of possession the Sharks have had in the first half, a 14-0 lead does not reflect their dominance.

29min

Matt Moylan kicks the ball in-goal and earns a repeat set.

28min

To compound the error, the Sharks are awarded a penalty.

27min

Another Penrith mistake sees Gallen dive on the loose ball.

26min

Aaron Woods is on for Cronulla.

26min

James Tamou is on for Penrith.

26min

Paul Gallen loses the ball on halfway.

25min

Penrith are on the ropes at the moment. If the Sharks can score another this match may be headed for an anticlimactic result.

25min

Maloney loses the ball after a promising run from Kikau.

24min

Jayden Brailey overpowers his last play kick and Penrith will resume play with a seven tackle set.

22min

Waqa Blake makes a great catch close to his goal line, but just as he did in forcing the turnover a few minutes back, Luke Lewis forces the Penrith centre back in-goal.

21min

Waqa Blake appeared to lose the ball and a belated refereeing call sees the Sharks awarded possession inside the Panthers half.

20min

Nathan Cleary makes a great run to force a Cronulla error. That play may prove very telling in the wash-up.

19min

Penrith have made twice as many tackles as Cronulla with less than 20 minutes elapsed.

18min

Christian Crichton is bundled into touch and the Sharks will have another attacking set.

17min

The Sharks are full of energy at the moment.

16min

Townsend kicks early and leads the chase on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak inside his own 10 metre zone.

15min

Conversion: Sharks
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

The Sharks are on fire! 14 points in 15 minutes.

Sharks lead Sharks 14 - 0 Panthers
14min

Try: Sharks
Scored by Valentine Holmes. Kick to come.

On the spot to claim another 4-pointer, Holmes scores his 22nd try of the season.

Sharks lead Sharks 12 - 0 Panthers
14min

Valentine Holmes is claiming a try after being in the right place to finish off a Cronulla bat back.

13min

Katoa is ruled to have passed the ball forward to a rampaging Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Cronulla will start a set on halfway.

12min

Townsend sends the ball long, but DWZ makes a strong return.

10min

Penalty Goal: Sharks
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

From in front of the sticks, Holmes nails the kick.

Sharks lead Sharks 8 - 0 Panthers
9min

Valentine Holmes will take the shot at goal to extend the Sharks lead.

9min

Penalty to Cronulla close to the posts.

9min

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is pushed over the dead ball line. The Sharks will have another set off the back of a line drop out.

9min

Matt Prior goes close to the tryline.

8min

Ricky Leutele is collected high by Tyrone Peachey close to halfway. Another big chance for the Sharks to post early points.

7min

Fifita makes a strong run off the kick off.

6min

Conversion: Sharks
Kicked by Valentine Holmes.

From close to the posts the superstar fullback adds the extras.

Sharks lead Sharks 6 - 0 Panthers
5min

Try: Sharks
Scored by Chad Townsend. Kick to come.

Running in support of Andrew Fifita, the Sharks halfback is on the spot to put the ball over the line.

Sharks lead Sharks 4 - 0 Panthers
4min

Jesse Ramien gets a penalty. Cronulla to start a set 35 metres from the Penrith line.

4min

Edrick Lee makes a great catch in his in-goal and charges downfield to start a seven tackle set.

3min

Isaah Yeo is close to the line.

2min

Maloney finds touch on halfway.

2min

Penrith earn a penalty inside their own half.

2min

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes a strong catch and is collected by Kurt Capewell 10 metres out from the Panthers line.

1min

A strong first set from the Panthers sees the Sharks handed the ball close to their tryline.

Play is underway and Reagan Campbell-Gillard takes the first charge of the night.

Paul Gallen takes the Sharks out to the reception of rapturous applause.

James Maloney leads the Panthers onto Allianz Stadium.

While both sides have progressed straight to the Preliminary Final having triumphed in the first week of the finals on multiple occasions previously, the winner of tonight's contest will need to overcome recent history to book a place against Melbourne next Friday at AAMI Park.

Having reached the second week of the play-offs in the previous two seasons under Anthony Griffin, tonight will prove decisive to the Panthers' decision to install Cameron Ciraldo as interim coach six weeks ago. Losing Semis to Canberra and Brisbane in recent times, the Panthers will need to overcome a similar Semi Final drought having never triumphed in the second week of the finals throughout the NRL era.

Winning 10/12 matches against Penrith since 2011, the Cronulla Sharks will need to break a 16 year record to progress into the final four having last tasted Semi Final success in 2002 against the Dragons in a high-scoring affair played at Aussie Stadium.

Previously clashing twice this season, the Sharks will be hoping to go 3/3 after pulling off narrow wins in Round 7 at home (26-22) and at the foot of the mountains after Origin 3 in Round 18 (24-12).

Fighting back from an early deficit against the Warriors last Saturday, the Penrith Panthers have retained the same playing group that prevailed 27-12.

After going down to the Roosters last Saturday evening, the Sharks have made two enforced changes with Jesse Ramien coming into the centres at the expense of Josh Dugan, while in the absence of co-captain Wade Graham, Kurt Capewell will start in the second row despite wearing jersey 14, with Scott Sorenson reverting to the bench.

The winner of tonight’s match will travel to Melbourne next Friday to contest the Storm for a place in the premiership decider.

Welcome to League Unlimited’s coverage of the First Semi Final between the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers from Allianz Stadium.

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee

Touch Judges: Nick Beashel, Chris Sutton

Video Referee: Steve Chiddy, Ben Galea

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (21)
Tries: Chad Townsend, Valentine Holmes, Luke Lewis
Field Goals: Chad Townsend (1/2)
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes (2/2)

PENRITH PANTHERS (20)
Tries: Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Waqa Blake
Field Goals: Nathan Cleary (0/2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)